Airport probes student OJT scam

ABS-CBN News

MANILA - The Manila International Airport Authority is investigating an illegal scheme allegedly victimizing student trainees at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

MIAA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado said he has directed airport police to investigate information that students taking up tourism courses are being asked to pay P7,000 to P15,000 each to undergo on-the-job training at the airport.

Students of these courses are normally required to perform 200 to 600 hours of on-the-job training at any airline or the airport.

Honrado said he has ordered a stop to the deployment of 200 student trainees for the summer season while the investigation is ongoing.

"Charges are being prepared by the airport authority to end this illegal scheme victimizing innocent students. Yes, we accept student trainees but they do not need to pay a single centavo," he said.

In a phone interview, Honrado said the illegal scheme has been linked to a private manning agency based in Ermita, Manila.

He said several student trainees confirmed they pay P7,000 to P15,000 to the agency depending on the required number of training hours. He said the scam victimizes students from as far as the Visayas and Mindanao.

Honrado said he is eyeing the possibility that some personnel at the airport human resources department are conniving with the private firm. By Raoul Esperas